ABSTRACT

This chapter unpacks the highly influential concept of sustainability, whose meanings have been subject to much contestations among political actors at all levels from the local to international bodies. The chapter traces its different interpretations and provides a detailed account of the international contestations over its meanings and implementations. It focuses on the political economy of environmental conditions and highlights the connection between capitalist liberal markets and cultures and social injustices and environmental crisis. Emphasising the inextricable link between social and environmental responsibilities, the chapter shows how power and knowledge are used to exploit both nature and people. A key theme is the problematisation of the discursive dominance of Global North over Global South. It is argued that the root causes of environmental as well as social problems are economic and cultural globalisation of neoliberal conceptual forces. The chapter highlights the dangers of reifying concepts such as sustainable development in and through environmental planning processes and practices.